President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Sam Mayanja as Uganda’s new Attorney General, replacing Kiryowa Kiwanuka in the latest cabinet reshuffle.
Mayanja, a lawyer by profession and former State Minister for Lands, has over the years become one of the most outspoken legal and political figures in government, especially on land matters, constitutional issues and governance debates.
Before joining cabinet, he practiced law privately and remained active in Uganda’s political discourse.
The position of Attorney General is one of the most powerful legal offices in government. Under Uganda’s Constitution, the Attorney General is the principal legal adviser to government and also sits in Cabinet.
Among the key roles of the Attorney General are:
Advising the President, Cabinet and government ministries on legal matters.
Representing government in courts of law.
Drafting and reviewing government contracts, treaties and agreements.
Guiding Parliament on the legal implications of bills before they become law.
Defending government decisions and institutions in constitutional and civil cases.
Ensuring that government actions comply with the Constitution and the laws of Uganda.
The Attorney General also oversees major government litigation, including tax disputes, land cases, compensation claims and constitutional petitions.
The office plays a central role in shaping national policy because almost every government decision with legal implications passes through the Attorney General’s chambers.
Mayanja’s appointment places him at the center of some of the country’s most sensitive legal and political questions, including land reforms, governance disputes and interpretation of constitutional matters.
His elevation is likely to generate debate given his strong public positions on land ownership and Buganda Kingdom land disputes during his tenure at the Lands ministry.
Supporters describe him as bold and legally aggressive, while critics accuse him of being confrontational in handling contentious matters.
The office of Attorney General has previously been held by prominent Ugandan legal minds including George Kanyeihamba, Abu Mayanja and Bart Katureebe.
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